Sunday, March 10, 2013

My absence over the last few days has been really refreshing. Ed and I decided (pretty last minute!) to skip out of town for two days. It's always when we do this that I am extra grateful for the amazing women in our lives that are happy to spend time with Gavin and Brian while we're gone. Miss Sara and Miss Katja split the time and it sounds like they had a lot of fun with the boys!

Stealing away together here and there is quite nice if you can swing it. We didn't do much of anything fancy... but we did reconnect. An important thing to do when you're raising small kids. At least to us. We came home refreshed and recharged... and, unfortunately, to a sick little boy.

The girls reported that Brian took naps both days that we were gone. That's pretty unusual - especially two days in a row - and there were no other "symptoms" - so I chalked it up to a growth spurt and assumed I'd be buying bigger clothes this week. Then, twenty minutes from home in the car I got a call from Katja telling me that Brian felt warm. I pushed my foot down on the accelerator and got home as fast as I could. Sure enough... a fever of 103.2!

He was up a few times during the night. Today, he's been pretty lethargic with no appetite, but no other symptoms except high fevers. Looks like he'll be missing school for a few days. Poor kid.

Maybe it was the fever - but Brian was overwhelmingly sweet to his big brother all day. He kept seeking Gavin out to play and interact!

And, even more of a surprise - Gavin wasn't overwhelmed by Brian! He loved every second of his attention and hung on his every word.

Looks like someone may be following in his Mommy's footsteps with the camera!

He even asked Gavin to say "EEEEEE."

After naps, Brian insisted we hang out in his room so he could read a book to Gavin and me.

It was such a sweet time. Brian chose a book about a bunny - which, ironically, is MAJOR foreshadowing for an upcoming blog this week. Stay tuned!

All in all - despite Brian's illness - it was a lovely weekend filled with heartfelt connections in our little family.

Ahhh....my book displays. I'm rather obsessed with my book displays, I have to say. I bought three of them from an online shop - I'm attaching the link below. They're made by Guidecraft, which it looks like this shop doesn't carry anymore. But they have a selection of other types of displays that you might like! Guidecraft you can by online and in some stores - mostly teacher type stores. I also bought my fourth one at Lakeshore, the teacher store. It was a floor model and it has a little scratch on one side so I was able to ask for a floor model + a damage discount! :-)

I bet you're wondering - why in the hell does she need FOUR? Here's why... I bought one for Gavin's room when I was pregnant with him. Then I bought one for Brian's room when I was pregnant with him. Then I bought one for our playroom so we could have books in there. Then I bought one for Darcy's nursery when I was pregnant with her... and we all know the end of that story. So I have two in the playroom and I just put them together to create a "book nook" that the boys absolutely love.

More information than you ever wanted? Probably, but there you have it. Here's the link to the Ron Jun E-Shop!

Who I Am...

Hi! I'm Kate. I'm a positive thinker, an amateur blogger, a jokester, and a reality TV junkie. I'm also very lucky to be a stay at home Mom to Gavin and Brian. I have a husband that has a big laugh, a big heart and a big talent for cooking. (Thank God) Our life is not always easy, but it turns out it's more than I ever dreamed it would be. I write about Gavin's disability, his miraculous progress, Brian's successful recovery from a peanut allergy and a speech delay, my Rheumatoid Arthritis and infertility journey and our crazy, incredible, roller coaster of a life. I also remember and honor our daughter, Darcy, who we met after 5 1/2 months of my pregnancy.

I feel honored that you're here to get to know us.

Want to know more? Click on each link under the pictures at the top of the page to read our stories...

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Gavin's Playground Project

Gavin's Playground Project was born from my desire to see an "All Abilities" playground built at Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. This is the hospital where Gavin spent a lot of time during his life... and where he ultimately died, surrounded by friendly and familiar faces. To mark the one year anniversary of his death, I held a fundraiser on April 5, 2014. You can read all about it in THIS post.

We raised a LOT of money, but not enough for a playground! If you would like to contribute to help make this playground a reality - so no kids will ever have to sit on the sidelines watching their peers play - you can contribute directly to the hospital through the Chasing Rainbows fundraising page HERE. Your donation will go directly to the hospital for the playground and is tax deductible. You can also create your own fundraising team page and start collecting donations in honor of anyone you want!! There is also a mailing address on their page if you prefer to mail a check. Designate your contribution in memory of Gavin Leong - or write in that this is for the playground so your dollars will go to the right place. Thank you for your support of Gavin's Playground Project!

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Gavin's Trust Project

I created "Gavin's Trust Project" to help support Gavin's friends who receive services from the Chester County Intermediate Unit in Pennsylvania. I wanted to continue to try to "make the impossible... possible" for kids like Gavin, knowing well how hard it can be to get much needed "special needs" items. It makes me happy to know that even after his death, Gavin continues to help others. Click HERE to learn more about the Trust Project! All of your donations, big and small, will be added to Gavin's Trust Project to help therapists and teachers get what they need for children in this program. You can write a check made out to CCIU and mail it to: Chester County Intermediate Unit, c/o Deb Hiller, 455 Boot Rd., Downingtown, PA 19335. Please be sure to add "Gavin's Trust Project" in the memo. Thank you on behalf of me and my little superhero!